13 Feb, 2007
Today's story comes from Jack Crabtree, Director of Long Island YFC.
----------------
When I was in college I rode a bicycle from Miami to Seattle, 4300 miles in 37 days. There were 35 guys on this trip riding across America. It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.
Not only did I get to see America, I learned big lessons about myself and my relationship to God. Growing up I went to church every week but I never understood God’s love. I was a church kid clueless about how Jesus could live in me and change me.
Biking across Wyoming I learned something I’ll never forget. When the wind was blowing, the riders on our trip would clump up in groups of 10. Riding was easier when we worked together. Riding in a double file draft line when the wind was against us, the riders in the front took the brunt of the wind. The riders behind the leaders felt less wind resistance and pedaled more easily. The group leader broke the wind for a mile then rotated to the back of the pack. Everyone moved up and kept riding the steady pace.
That windy day in Wyoming was one of the worst of my life. I woke up sick. Not riding wasn’t a choice. I tried hard but I couldn’t keep up with the riding pace of my group. They waited for me a few times but each time I fell behind again. Finally they rode off without me.
Now I was riding alone. The wind was 40mph in my face. My body was so weak. There were so many miles to go. I was sure I would never make it.
Suddenly I looked up and there was John Hanson, a guy from my bike group, riding toward me. He swung his bike around and pulled his bike in front of mine. Breaking the wind for me, he rode the slower pace I could handle. During the next four hours he took the full blast of the wind and pulled me along until we got to our campground for the night.
As I crawled into our six-man tent, I saw John Hanson already in his sleeping bag totally exhausted. I asked one question, “Why did you come back to ride with me?”
He opened his eyes and said, “A couple years ago I started following Jesus Christ and made it my goal to be like him. In the Bible it says, ‘this is how we know what real love is. Jesus Christ laid down his life for us and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.’”
With that he rolled over and went to sleep. I had heard a lot of sermons in church but I never heard one as good as that one.
The next day I felt better and got back on my bike. All day I pedaled and thought about what John did for me yesterday and what he said in the tent. This guy left the comfort and safety of the biking group to come back and spend all his strength helping me make it.
Somewhere between Wyoming and Seattle it hit me. God’s love is real. What John did for me helped me understand what Jesus did for all of us when he died on the cross. He left the comforts of Heaven to suffer and laid down his life for us when we could not make it on our own. Since that bike trip I can never forget God’s love for me.
Everyday Love
1 John 3:16
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. (ESV)
What does God's Story teach us?
God’s love is never just promises or words on a page; it is proved by action. All the misunderstandings about what is real love are resolved by looking at Jesus Christ. What he did was real love.
When we say “I love you” to someone, they need to see it confirmed in our actions toward them. Are we giving the best we have to help them?
Real love always costs something. The more it costs, the deeper the love. Jesus set the example for us. He wants us to spend our lives setting aside our own personal desires and using our strength to serve others.
How can you connect God’s Story to your life?
You just read My Story. On that trip I learned God’s love is the only reliable foundation for my life. When I know God’s love is real I don’t have to chase acceptance and approval from other people. God proved he loves me so I can love and respect myself.You have a story too. When did you start to understand God’s love? How is it changing your relationships with others. You can stop worrying about what is best for you and start doing what is best for others. You can be generous to people according to how generous God is to you.
Whenever you doubt yourself or your worth, be confident because you know what Jesus did for you. Whenever you struggle to love others, remember how far God was willing to go for you.
How can you connect God’s Story and Your Story to others?
- Think back and remember how someone showed God’s love to you. Take time to contact that person and thank then for making God’s love real to you.
- Tell your story to others. Don’t exaggerate or diminish it. Make sure all your friends know how God became real to you.
- Open your eyes and look for people in your life who are struggling. Leave your comfort zone and do what you can to help them get through their hard time.
- When people you know don’t believe in God or Jesus, show them how real God’s love is by serving them and helping them through their personal challenges.
- May 2012 [14]
- April 2012 [19]
- March 2012 [21]
- February 2012 [19]
- January 2012 [18]
- December 2011 [20]
- November 2011 [15]
- October 2011 [15]
- September 2011 [14]
- August 2011 [22]
- July 2011 [19]
- June 2011 [21]
- May 2011 [20]
- April 2011 [20]
- March 2011 [21]
- February 2011 [20]
- January 2011 [21]
- December 2010 [21]
- November 2010 [21]
- October 2010 [21]
- September 2010 [22]
- August 2010 [21]
- July 2010 [22]
- June 2010 [20]
- May 2010 [18]
- April 2010 [20]
- March 2010 [23]
- February 2010 [19]
- January 2010 [22]
- December 2009 [22]
- November 2009 [21]
- October 2009 [22]
- September 2009 [21]
- August 2009 [20]
- July 2009 [21]
- June 2009 [22]
- May 2009 [18]
- April 2009 [15]
- March 2009 [7]
- February 2009 [17]
- January 2009 [20]
- December 2008 [23]
- November 2008 [19]
- October 2008 [22]
- September 2008 [22]
- August 2008 [19]
- July 2008 [22]
- June 2008 [11]
- May 2008 [19]
- April 2008 [22]
- March 2008 [21]
- February 2008 [18]
- January 2008 [20]
- December 2007 [18]
- November 2007 [15]
- October 2007 [19]
- September 2007 [18]
- August 2007 [12]
- July 2007 [12]
- June 2007 [9]
- May 2007 [11]
- April 2007 [10]
- March 2007 [11]
- February 2007 [14]
- January 2007 [7]
- December 2006 [4]
- November 2006 [13]
- October 2006 [17]
- September 2006 [11]
- August 2006 [16]
- July 2006 [10]
- June 2006 [3]
